Van Wezel Foundation Promotes Suzanne Hudson-Smith

March 28, 2022 – Sarasota

The Van Wezel Foundation (Foundation) is pleased to announce the promotion of Suzanne Hudson-Smith to the newly created position of director of leadership and legacy giving. Hudson-Smith will be responsible for the strategic growth of legacy and planned gifts to advance fundraising goals in her new role, which began on March 1, 2022.

“I’ve been very impressed with Suzanne’s passion for our mission and the thoughtful relationships she has developed within the philanthropic community; she has a special gift to share her love of the performing arts with our stakeholders and to inspire them in meaningful ways to support the Foundation’s vision for the future,” said Foundation Chief Advancement and Marketing Officer Mark Cole.

Hudson-Smith joined the Foundation team in 2020 as associate director of leadership gifts where she has been instrumental in managing the expansion of Foundation proposals and public funding grant opportunities while cultivating relationships with new donors increasing support for the Friends Society and Annual Giving program. She acquired her certified fundraising executive certificate in 2013 and is currently working to attain the chartered advisor in philanthropy credentials to create opportunities for deeper conversations for legacy gifts that honor donor passions around the performing arts. Hudson-Smith’s previous positions have included executive director of the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation, director of development for the historic Florida Theatre, vice president of development for WNIN Public Media for PBS/NPR and a corporate background with Frito-Lay Community Relations.

“The Foundation is a truly special gift to our community that inspires minds – of all ages – through arts education, and I am grateful to be part of a team that is building a vision for a new performing arts center that will only bolster that work,” said Hudson-Smith. “We have a dedicated community of philanthropists in the cultural hub of Sarasota that we call home, and I look forward to working even more closely with this community to create a world-class performing arts hall that reflects all individuals.”